War Shillelagh

M ELEY · 13th March 2009, 04:05 AM

Excellent information on the 'harvesting' of clubs, Barry. I knew I wasn't going crazy when I had heard of ground roots. I had never heard of the insertion of stones to allow the plant to grow over it. Pretty amazing! Now I'm beginning to want to collect clubs again! (sold my Soloman Islands piece awhile back). Great thread!

fearn · 14th March 2009, 10:00 PM

Hi All,

I agree that root burls (that's the proper term) can make great club heads. In fact, I've got one sitting in a garage for that some-day project.

That said, not every club head is a burl, and I'll tell you how to tell the difference in a second.

Many shillelaghs actually aren't made from a root burl. Rather, the crafter starts with a tree or shrub (traditionally blackthorn, a type of plum). He selects a trunk or major branch that has many straight, smaller shoots coming off of it. He then cuts the trunk into short sections around the branch, so that the straight shoot becomes the handle of the shillelagh, and the trunk becomes the head. He then carves the head into shape.

The way you tell how it's made is to look at the grain on the head. Burls typically have a confused grain. It looks like random damascus. Trunks have the concentric, circular grain. As an example of a head carved from a trunk, here's a knobkerrie that Louie posted earlier

Anyway, I admire shillelaghs, and perhaps I'll get one someday. My only problem with them is that they're supposed to be less obvious weapons (the farmer's evening walking stick, really). These days, no one carries a walking stick for walking, so I'd be less obvious if I was walking with a golf club than if I was carrying me blackthorn. If less classy.

Best,

F

katana · 20th March 2009, 04:20 PM

I have been saving this project for a while. After having to remove several branches from my Ash tree .....I cut and saved several branches to make either axe hafts or a club / knobkerrie. Left to season for 3 years it is now ready to 'work'. I like the idea of 'experimental' archeology.....inspired by this thread and the sunshine (yes, we do get the sun in Britain ....sometimes

) I decided to make a 'start' ....determined to use hand tools ...I have used the hand axe to cut and 'rough shape' the club. Its a little big at the moment ....feels great as a 'two hander'....but want to gradually improve / remove wood so as to get the correct balance etc.

If anyone is interested I will post as work continues....I am hoping that I will acquire an insight in the design, manufacture and use of such weapons.

Regards David

PS ....As to size...each paving slab is 18 inches (46cms) square

20th March 2009, 04:20 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I have been saving this project for a while. After having to remove several branches from my Ash tree .....I cut and saved several branches to make either axe hafts or a club / knobkerrie. Left to season for 3 years it is now ready to 'work'. I like the idea of 'experimental' archeology.....inspired by this thread and the sunshine (yes, we do get the sun in Britain ....sometimes ) I decided to make a 'start' ....determined to use hand tools ...I have used the hand axe to cut and 'rough shape' the club. Its a little big at the moment ....feels great as a 'two hander'....but want to gradually improve / remove wood so as to get the correct balance etc. If anyone is interested I will post as work continues....I am hoping that I will acquire an insight in the design, manufacture and use of such weapons. Regards David PS ....As to size...each paving slab is 18 inches (46cms) square Attached Images

13th March 2009, 04:05 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Excellent information on the 'harvesting' of clubs, Barry. I knew I wasn't going crazy when I had heard of ground roots. I had never heard of the insertion of stones to allow the plant to grow over it. Pretty amazing! Now I'm beginning to want to collect clubs again! (sold my Soloman Islands piece awhile back). Great thread!

14th March 2009, 10:00 PM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi All, I agree that root burls (that's the proper term) can make great club heads. In fact, I've got one sitting in a garage for that some-day project. That said, not every club head is a burl, and I'll tell you how to tell the difference in a second. Many shillelaghs actually aren't made from a root burl. Rather, the crafter starts with a tree or shrub (traditionally blackthorn, a type of plum). He selects a trunk or major branch that has many straight, smaller shoots coming off of it. He then cuts the trunk into short sections around the branch, so that the straight shoot becomes the handle of the shillelagh, and the trunk becomes the head. He then carves the head into shape. The way you tell how it's made is to look at the grain on the head. Burls typically have a confused grain. It looks like random damascus. Trunks have the concentric, circular grain. As an example of a head carved from a trunk, here's a knobkerrie that Louie posted earlier Anyway, I admire shillelaghs, and perhaps I'll get one someday. My only problem with them is that they're supposed to be less obvious weapons (the farmer's evening walking stick, really). These days, no one carries a walking stick for walking, so I'd be less obvious if I was walking with a golf club than if I was carrying me blackthorn. If less classy. Best, F